Katy K. Tsai

MD

Oncologist and melanoma specialist

Dr. Katy K. Tsai is a medical oncologist who specializes in treating melanoma and other skin cancers.

In addition to caring for patients, Tsai conducts clinical trials with two of her colleagues in cutaneous oncology, Dr. Adil Daud and Dr. Alain Algazi, seeking new and better therapies for patients with advanced melanoma or head and neck cancers. She also has a long-standing research interest in quality of life and outcomes for patients receiving immunotherapy.

Tsai graduated with a degree in comparative literature from Brown University before earning her medical degree from Brown. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by a fellowship in medical oncology at UCSF, where she served as chief fellow.

Tsai is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She was born in Taiwan and raised in Toronto.

  • Education

    Brown University School of Medicine, 2010

  • Residencies

    University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Internal Medicine, 2013

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Medical Oncology, 2015

  • Board Certifications

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Academic Title

    Assistant Professor

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    203 Ratings
    About our process
    Nov 12, 2023
    I have been a patient of Dr. Tsai for over six years. I have complete confidence in her ability to make decisions and recommendations that affect my on-going well being.
    Nov 10, 2023
    I really like my doctor. She cares about me.
    Oct 22, 2023
    The only side effect of my immunotherapy that I have noticed has been irritation of my eyes. Dr. Tsai listened carefully to my description of the treatment I have received for this condition from my ophthalmologist and then offered to make a referral to a UCSF ophthalmologist who has been studying how immunotherapy may cause side effects in the eyes which I welcomed.
    Oct 20, 2023
    EVERYONE there went above and beyond what I'd expect from professionals. I couldn't expect anymore.
    Sep 24, 2023
    Dr. Tsai is wonderful!
    Sep 08, 2023
    Dr. Tsai answered my questions about medications. We were waiting for bloodwork results which showed that I was in need of a transfusion but could possibly have the scheduled infusion as well. We planned for a scan before the next scheduled infusion to see what effect the new immunotherapy has had. Dr. Tsai arranged for the transfusion and I received 2 units of blood and the Opdualog infusion. Excellent coordination and treatment throughout.
    Aug 20, 2023
    Dr. Tsai listened to me and my concerns to help me make the best decisions for my care and treatment.
    Aug 19, 2023
    She was very professional. Apologized for not being my Dr. And I promptly told her not to apologize that Dr.s have things they need to do. I enjoy someone new learning my case
    Aug 04, 2023
    Excellent experience Dr Tsai is so thorough
    Jun 07, 2023
    This visit was for the purpose of signing a consent form for a proposed drug trial.
    May 19, 2023
    Dr Tsai is a calm and reassuring voice with my health concerns
    Apr 28, 2023
    Excellent doctor
    Apr 14, 2023
    I have seen Dr. Tsai for many years. She is a wonderful patient listener as well as a superb practitioner. She explained and clarified all my concerns about treatment and scheduling. I feel lucky to continue as her patient.
    Apr 13, 2023
    Dr. Tsai reviewed my current status and the need to moved to a new treatment option due to tumor growth. She gave clear descriptions of an open trial as well as information on other possible treatments. She included my son in the discussion and answered our questions.
    Apr 13, 2023
    Friendly encouraging and supportive demeanor was most helpful and appreciated.
    Feb 20, 2023
    Dr. Tsai also listened to my son's questions and concerns. He was attending by phone.
    Jan 10, 2023
    Since Dr. Tsai among many others saved my life I have nothing but gratitude.
    Dec 25, 2022
    Satisfied
    Nov 08, 2022
    The care provider is very nice
    Nov 06, 2022
    In my case the physician was friends with the physician who was treating me so I kind of sensed it was awkward for her to vary from what care her colleague and friend was executing ...I cant say that I really learned anything new or shall I say heard any real alternative strategy that could be applied if the present course of care continued to fail. She did mention other drugs that could be used if my next ct shows continued disease progression but it was more simply writing down what they are rather than why anyone might be more successful. I am a biologist-scientist (Human biology with s Ph.D..and I could have understood. What I took from the discussion is no strong position on my care and potential future care...I guess thats what I was looking for.
    Jul 26, 2022
    Dr. Tsai is an excellent person who listens to my questions and she's a great Dr. Too!!!
    May 28, 2022
    Dr Tsai and the staff at UCSF are outstanding. I drive 140 miles one way for these appointments because of their expertise.
    Apr 23, 2022
    Doc didn't seem too concerned about my fears or my time frame.I rather of chose a different approach .
    Apr 18, 2022
    Dr Tsai is an outstanding doctor
    Apr 15, 2022
    Very good
    Apr 02, 2022
    Dr. Tsai always includes whichever of my adult children are acting as my advocate in the conversation and the decision making. This is very important to me and very supportive.

    Selected research

    See all research
    Decorative Caduceus

    A Phase 1B/2 Study of RP1 in Solid Organ Transplant Patients With Advanced Cutaneous Malignanci...

    Assess the safety and tolerability of single-agent RP1 in solid organ transplant patients with cutaneous malignancies by incidence of subjects with treatment-emergent adverse events

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Binimetinib and Imatinib for Unresectable Stage III-IV KIT-Mutant Melanoma

    Defined as complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1). The ORR at stages 1 and 2 will be estimated using the method of Whitehead, and the p-values for testing the ...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Safety and Effectiveness of ABM-168 in Adults With Advanced Solid Tumors.

    Dose limiting toxicities (DLT) which defines the MTD/RP2D

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Study of RP1 Monotherapy and RP1 in Combination With Nivolumab

    Percentage of subjects with adverse events (AEs)

    Recruiting

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